Question Number: 35884

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/17/2025

Petr of Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic asks...

This question is a follow up to question 35881

Thanks!

So do you see the difference there compared to a throw-in?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYJSMZJMK1Y

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Petr ,
I was away recently so did not respond earlier but my first glance at this post .
100% agree with the double cautions .
The Throw in released an attack, so we apply advantage, KNOWING, we can caution later at a stoppage.
The following reckless tackle was the next stoppage and as a 2nd cautionable offence the yellow card is shown!
First for the incident during the attempt to impede the throw in which was near a direct red card on its own .
Next for the trip/tackle which then the red card is shown to send off is for 2 cautions in the same match. The fact they occurred withing seconds of each other shows the player lacked discipline but in truth he was trying to stop the attack and failed twice.

We do not LOOK to caution if there is no real impact, be it a throw in or a free kick.
In this throw in example the act was beyond simple interference, it was an aggressive striking act deserving of a caution. If the defending player had simply turned to follow the ball despite how close he was, if the throw in was successful no reason to get involved. A word of warning perhaps later.


We can relate this to free kicks in much the same way. The kicker goes ahead and no issues then no reason to get involved. However, if the kicker appears frustrated or balks due to the proximity of the defenders reactions and gives you the LOOK!! by all means hold things up show the yellow card which is then a very clear picture to all 21 other players WITHDRAW or else! I recall watching a Woman's match between Canada and Brazil, the amount of non calls on the failure to respect distance and delaying restarts was absolutely shockingly NUTS! There was at least 20 plus instances the game was marred with such disrespect, where the conduct demanded CARDS MUST BE SHOWN but none were! It was an embarrassment to FIFA, to the fans, by the officials and the referee in charge. I have no idea if she even remained on the list after such a desultory performance.

The interesting thing was though in the very next match between Germany and Brazil the lesson MUST have been thrashed in blood during the post match review of Canada Brazil and then reemphasized in the pre game of this match!

The very first free kick, the ball was kicked away, delaying the restart, player was shown yellow card caution immediately as the ball was still moving away! It was literally like she was on a spring load, she got that card out so fast. Players then scattered at any & every free kick for the duration of that match.

I can not be sure but I thought I heard the referee say something to the effect of "Not a chance in hell in this match ladies!" I was front and center at midfield. It was a supreme pleasure to critique this match just as it was horribly unpleasant at the other.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr
The decision by Referee Michael Oliver was 100% correct.
First caution was for trying to interfere with the throw in with advantage played. The second caution was for the challenge which could be for stopping a promising attack and/ or reckless.

There are many other examples of double cautions in the same phase of play where advantage has been played that is the reason for a caution in its own right.
Here is another example.
https://youtu.be/RY0DD120slk?si=mrx6MvKdq8LqYuSY